Priest, Deacon and Server Training

The Latin Mass Society will be holding its 11th training conference for priests, deacons and servers wishing to learn the older form of the Mass from 14th to 17th April 2015. It will be held at Prior Park College near Bath.

Prior Park, which currently houses an independant Catholic school, is set in 28 acres of parkland, and was built in the 1730s as a country mansion for a local quarry owner named Ralph Allen. Its architect, John Wood, used Bath stone from Ralph Allen's quarries to create a building in the Paladian style on a hillside site that overlooks the city. The grounds include several impressive features, including an ornamental bridge, also in the Paladian style, over an artificial lake.

After the death of Ralph Allen, the property passed through a number of owners, and in 1828 was purchased by Bishop Baines, the Vicar Apostolic for the Western District at the time. His intention was to establish a seminary on the site, which he eventually did, along with a school. It was also his intention to build a cathedral at Prior Park, but this never happened. However a fine chapel was added.

The seminary closed in 1856, with the students transferred to Oscott College. The school continued until the buildings were occupied by troops during the First World War. A fresh attempt was made to establish a boys bording school in 1925, which is the fore-runner of the present school.

Prior Park College is very suitable for the needs of the LMS training conference. There is plenty of sleeping accommodation in single rooms, and common rooms will be available for relaxation at the end of each day. Also, Prior Park has the reputation of serving excellent food. The chapel is particularly beautiful and retains its original altar and reredos in a spacious sanctuary.

There are four side altars, conveniently arranged for tuition to be given around them in small groups.

Bookings are now being taken from priests, deacons, and servers to attend the conference at Prior Park. Further details, including the charges, the application form and how to apply are on the website of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales.